CAC2 Childhood Cancer Community News Digest (December 30-January 5)

January 6, 2025 Community News, News Digest

Assorted News from the Last Week:

GLO-BNHL opens first sites of a multi-country platform trial that will offer multiple new treatments and a better chance of survival for pediatric B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.

Read more about this trial from a personal point of view!

The finding that children from low-income households are more likely to experience cancer relapse and face lower survival rates compared to their more privileged peers, despite receiving treatment on highly standardized clinical trials at top academic centers, prompts formation of the IGNITE Consortium.

In a small clinical trial, a CAR T-cell therapy—a type of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer—shrank tumors in several children and young adults with diffuse midline gliomas.

Study highlights the role of germline structural variants (SVs) in early genome instability, provide new insights into the genetic underpinnings of pediatric cancers and open doors for improved diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Follow-up care needs and motivational factors for childhood cancer survivors and their parents in Germany

Upcoming Webinars, Online Opportunities, and Meetings:

The “Mission Report” is to celebrate the Biden Cancer Moonshot delivering progress for the American people, January 7th, 11:30. Click here to register.

Ohio’s 4th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit is a free, virtual event is open to all and will be held on February 4, 2025 between 9-4:30pm EST. Click here for more information and to register.

ACCELERATE Multi-stakeholder Conference “A Decade of Impact – and Beyond” on February 6th & 7th in Brussels Belgium. In-person and virtual registration available.  Click here for more information and to register.

The 2nd Childhood Cancer Prevention Symposium will be held in Houston, TX, at Texas Children’s Hospital, February 10-13, 2025. Click here for more information and to register.

Community webinar exploring children’s and young people’s cancers will explore how clinical research and how clinical trials to deepen our understanding of cancer biology and treatment for children’s and young people’s cancers, February 12, 10:00 ET.  Click here for more information and to register.

Recent Recordings:

CAC2 Member Ann Graham (MIB Agents) speaks about adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer, who find themselves between pediatric and adult patients, often face concerns and issues unique to their age group.

CAC2 member Mark Levine hosts a podcast called, “Help and Hope Happen Here” (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts).  Access this weeks podcasts with CAC2 Members (and visit Help and Hope Happen Here for interviews with other CAC2 members and thought leaders from around the community):

The randomized phase III AALL1731 trial presented at the American Society of Hematology  annual meeting showed that adding the bispecific T-cell engager blinatumomab (Blincyto) to chemotherapy significantly improved disease-free survival for children with newly diagnosed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Take Action:

Last year, Congress left kids with cancer behind. Today, 64 CAC2 member organizations joined over a dozen other organizations urging the new Congress to make them the first order of business. Children with cancer have waited long enough–it’s time to finish the job.  CAC2 Letter to Congressional Leadership. Please share to show your support by sharing on social media! #CancelChildhoodCancer #KidsDeserveBetter

CAC2 Innovation Council Recommendation: The Dot Method

Overview of the Opportunity:  The Dot Method is an interactive workbook to teach kids about cancer.

The Requester: CAC2 Individual Member Kelsey Mora, PLLC (Dual Certified Child Life Specialist and Therapist and Author of The Dot Method)

The Type of Request: Sharing information about a product for purchase (interactive workbook, available singly from Amazon or in discounted bulk order) in support of a child with cancer and other children in the child’s family and community.

The Ask:  The Dot Method was published in January 2024. The author and creator seeks to build awareness and access for the resource as a tool to support kids impacted by pediatric cancer.

Supporting Documentation: Using simple visuals, honest language, and a workbook format, The Dot Method helps untangle medical jargon and unfamiliar scenarios and present them in a way that makes sense to children and young adults. The workbook allows for different types of cancers, treatments, and outcomes to be expressed.

The workbook written by a dual-certified child life specialist and licensed clinical professional counselor includes: a how to guide for caregivers and a glossary of child-friendly definitions of cancer terms. It teaches about cancer cells, treatment, side effects, as well as helps children identify feelings, their support system, and coping strategies.

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